Texas Rivalry

While the turkeys roasted in the oven and the potatoes were being mashed, the Texas Longhorns were warming up at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The University of Texas football team usually plays their rivals, Texas A&M, the day after Thanksgiving. However, this year’s kick off was scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday.
Many families were torn on what to do for their annual feast. If sons, daughters, fathers and uncles would be gone, what was the point of a family dinner? Rick Reed, an avid Longhorn fan, says that he is having a nontraditional Thanksgiving this year.
“Oh, I’ll still enjoy Thanksgiving,” said Reed. “I’ll just eat nachos instead of turkey. As far as family goes, I’m in a stadium full of family.” Reed said that there is a kinship between all Longhorn fans. “My folks didn’t make it to the game, but my brothers and sisters are here,” said Reed as he pointed to the stands.
Reed and his friends had Goal Post Club Game passes to get into a party where season ticket holders were invited to come hang out before the game. There was food, drinks, games and a live disk jockey. Reed said that it’s a great way to get pumped up before the game. Just as Reed’s girlfriend was done getting a longhorn painted on her face, the cheerleaders came out with excitement. They shook their pom-poms and did back flips, all while cheering on their favorite team. The fans sang along to the fight song and knew the hand gestures that went along with it. These fans meant business.
One of Reed’s friends, Jarrod Koopmann, was a die-hard Texas A&M fan. He chose not to wear his team’s color in fear of being taunted.
“It’s an easier game to enjoy when you already know who is going to win,” said Koopmann. “Plus, look around. The stadium is a solid burnt orange color. I would be crazy to wear maroon in here,” said Koopmann.”
He was right. Once the stadium had begun to fill, it was a mass of burnt orange fans. Every once in awhile you’d see a brave soul wearing a maroon shirt, but they were few and far between. Just then two Aggie fans sat down in front of Reed and Koopmann. Koopmann gave them the gig’ em hand gesture, while Reed loudly booed in their face. Reed wasn’t alone. A mass of Longhorn fans were yelling obscenities at these two men, telling them to go home and booing loudly. Reed said that it’s just a part of the tradition.
“If I wore burnt orange into their stadium, they’d boo me,” said Reed. While Reed was justifying his actions, both Aggie fans turned around and nodded their heads to agree with him.
Texas A&M won the coin toss, but elected to use their choice in the second half. Texas chose to receive, and Jordan Shipley was ready.
Shipley had an amazing game. With this game included, Shipley had 982 yards which moved him into 5th place on the UT single-season receiving yards list.
“He is one of the better receivers I’ve seen play,” said Chas Semple, Longhorn fan. “He handles the ball well and runs like a bat outta hell,” said Chas Semple. Chas’ wife, Carrie just graduated from the law school at UT, but received her undergrad at A&M.
“This is a hard game for me,” said Carrie Semple. “I want to root for both teams, but since we’re in Austin, I wore my burnt orange,” said Carrie Semple.
The game continued, with little activity from the A&M team. “I can’t believe they’re doing so poorly,” said Carrie Semple.
Chas Semple quickly pointed out that UT is one of the best teams in the nation. The Longhorns are in third place, while A&M isn’t even on the charts, according to ESPN.com. Carrie Semple quickly understood why the game was going so well for the Longhorns. “Well then I’m going to root for the underdog,” said Carrie Semple. She quickly took off her burnt orange shirt to reveal a maroon tank top. “I came prepared,” said Carrie Semple victoriously. The crowd shifted seats so Koopmann and Carrie Semple could sit next to each other.
“No one wants to sit by them,” said Reed with a laugh.
At half time, the score was looking pretty slim for the A&M team. The Longhorns had been dominating for most of the game. A&M only had three points. This rivalry was going well in favor of the longhorns. All rivalry was put aside when the A&M marching band took the field. These students weaved in and out of each other, creating magnificent patterns on the field. Reed said that their form and composure was undoubtedly some of the best there was in college marching bands.
When a child in front of Chas Semple started booing the A&M marching band, Chas Semple put a hand on the little boy’s shoulder and said, “No son. We don’t boo the band.” Chas Semple also said that the rivalry between the two football teams is real, but the band has nothing to do with it.
When the band was done playing, the stadium erupted with applause. This marked the first, and last, time Longhorn fans had cheered for the Aggies during that game.
After halftime the game continued just like before, UT dominating A&M. A&M managed to score a touchdown in the second half, but missed its field goal. The score stayed at 9 for the rest of the game. UT ended the game with a score of 49. When the game was over the crowd erupted with applause and cheering.
Many A&M fans left the stadium early, in fear of what was to come. However, the two gentlemen sitting in front of Reed stayed for the entire game. Reed shook hands with both of the men. “Good game- see you next year,” said Reed.
When asked why the polite handshake, Reed simply said that it’s all part of the tradition. He added that without polite gestures like that, the rivalry would get out of control. “It’s easier to boo in someone’s face when you plan on giving them a ‘good game’ afterwards,” said Reed.
Koopmann said that without rivalry, it’s just another football game. Rivalry adds another dimension to the game, a dimension that can’t be replaced.
So it continues, UT will play A&M next year and the rivalry will be just as strong.